Sunspot, NM frost dates
Last spring frostApr 30median date
First fall frostOct 21median date
Growing season174 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Sunspot compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Sunspot falls between April 16 and May 15, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 9 and November 4.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 174-day growing season is longer than 57% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 14 days later than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 106 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Las Cruces, NM, 107 km away, the last frost here is 49 days later than there and the growing season is 72 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 16 |
| 50% (median) | April 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 9 |
| 50% (median) | October 21 |
| 90% (late) | November 4 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Sunspot, NM
Sunspot, NM frost dates — last frost Apr 30, first frost Oct 21, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to May 7Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 21Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Transplant outside: May 14 to Jun 4
Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Sunspot, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 2 – May 7 | Aug 26 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Okra | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 21 – Jun 4 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — |
| Basil | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 26 – May 7 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 21 | May 7 – May 21 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 7 – May 28 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 14 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 7 – Nov 11 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Mtn Park, NM weather station, 10 km away (elevation 6,804 ft (2,074 m)).
Frost dates near Sunspot
- High Rolls Mountain Park Apr 30 · Oct 21
- Cloudcroft May 18 · Oct 1
- Sacramento May 18 · Oct 1
- Alamogordo Mar 9 · Nov 18
- La Luz Mar 9 · Nov 18
- Mayhill May 7 · Oct 11
- Weed May 7 · Oct 11
- Timberon May 18 · Oct 1
- Holloman Air Force Base Apr 22 · Oct 22
- Tularosa Apr 5 · Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Sunspot, NM?
The median last spring frost in Sunspot, NM is April 30. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Sunspot, NM?
The median first fall frost is October 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 9.
How long is the growing season in Sunspot, NM?
About 174 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Sunspot, NM?
Sunspot, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.